Page 41 of Dr. Stone
I laughed. “No, stay here. I just set him out there to create an exciting image of your and Brandon’s new pal.”
When I brought Duke back and she reached into the carrier to pull him out, my heart swelled in a way I hadn’t expected. Her usual composed expression melted into something soft and pure. For a second, I wasn’t looking at the confident, guarded woman I’d been chasing. I was seeing her as a little girl—wide-eyed and full of wonder—and it hit me harder than I cared to admit.
That simple, unguarded moment was the sweetest thing I’d ever witnessed. And somehow, impossibly, I found myself even more drawn to her than I had been before.
I watched as she interacted with him, noticing how his entire demeanor shifted, as if he sensed he was exactly where he belonged.
I stayed quiet, giving them space to connect while smiling inwardly at how perfect the moment felt. I couldn’t wait to tell her the story behind how I found him, about my patient, and how I’d made it as easy as possible for her to welcome him into her life.
With everything on her plate, I wanted her to see that having him wouldn’t be a burden or a sacrifice but the perfect addition.
NINETEEN
Andie
I staredinto Duke’s tiny, trusting eyes, and it felt like the adorable little guy saw straight into the parts of me I kept hidden.
His eyes reminded me of my sweet girl, Roxy, with the same amber color and honeyed flecks. While Roxy had been a full-sized standard Yorkie with boundless energy, Duke was smaller and carried himself with quiet confidence, making him feel like a perfectly polished little gent.
“Hi, Duke!” I set him on my lap and petted him gently. “Aren’t you the pocket-sized little prince?” I smiled, running my fingers through his perfectly groomed coat, forgetting everything around me. “Your fur is so soft, like melted caramel swirled with espresso.”
“Damn, I’ve got to step my game up now,” Jace said.
I looked over at him, where we sat on his patio. “How so?” I smiled. “You couldn’t be any higher in the running if that’s whatyou were going for.” I glanced back at Duke. “You are the most adorable, sweetest little man.”
“That right there,” Jace said in his usual smooth, sexy voice. “He’s already earned your trust as the perfect gentleman and the sweetest man.”
I laughed at Jace’s pitiful, playful expression. “And here I thought you’d be more jealous of another man wanting to date me, not a dog the size of my purse.”
“I just know the other man can’t steal your heart like that little fellow. Hell, I can’t even steal your heart by giving him to you.”
“You don’t know that.” I arched an eyebrow at him.
His eyes locked with mine, and my breath caught. How many times that night had I gotten lost in those blue eyes, spellbound as he groaned and moved inside me, dragging out every last wave of pleasure while easing us both down from yet another orgasm?
“What are you thinking about right now?” he asked, his voice a low whisper.
I shook the thoughts and the heat out of my head. “The dog,” I lied, smiling at him.
“No,” he said, his voice filled with the same hunger it carried that night. “You’re lying to me.”
Damn, he was so sexy as hell.
“Fine, I’m lying,” I said, scrambling for a cover. “I was thinking about how this is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me. I can’t believe you remembered our conversation about my first dog and somehow managed to find what feels like the perfect dog.” I turned back to Duke, who was stretched on my lap enjoying the attention. “I’m the one intrigued now, Dr. Stone.”
His expression dimmed a little, as if my answer let him down. “Well, I don’t want to lose any points here, but I didn’tnecessarily go out searching for him. I suppose he fell in my lap at the right time.”
“Oh?” I said, relaxing as Duke grew calmer. “I’d love to hear how you found him.”
“A patient of mine, who has a Yorkie named Daisy, was recovering from surgery. While I was checking on her vitals one day, our conversation got around to her daughter needing to rehome that little guy,” he said, nodding toward where Duke was now curled in a ball of soft fur, asleep on my lap. “I also think he’s already in love.” He chuckled, and my heart skipped at his boyish expression.
“Time will tell,” I answered, stroking the soft fur behind Duke’s ears. “Little dogs can be tricky.”
“I’ve heard that, but I think he’s the best little dude. He rode in my lap the entire drive from Long Beach, where I picked him up on my lunch break, and then slept quietly in my office while I saw my last three patients of the day.”
“Seems he’s trained well in obedience,” I said. “If he’s that good at a workplace, then Ash should be fine with him coming to the gallery with me.”
“I’m telling you, I’m impressed. My patient’s daughter, Renee, said he’s extremely smart and well-behaved when you need him to be. He’s got a playful side, and that’s why her kid loved him so much when she got him as a first birthday present.”
